Why Obama won’t go to Royal wedding

by Ellen Whinnett

11th Apr 2018 6:33 AM

THE Royal family has found a way around the delicate problem of whether to invite US president Donald Trump or his predecessor Barack Obama to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding - by not inviting either of them.

Kensington Palace has confirmed no political leaders will get an invitation to the wedding of the year at Windsor Castle on May 19, a decision ticked-off by the May Government in the UK.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: "It has been decided that an official list of political leaders - both UK and international - is not required for Prince Harry and Ms Markle's wedding.

"Her Majesty's Government was consulted on this decision, which was taken by the Royal Household.''

The decision has avoided the niggling issue of how to manage the guest list if Prince Harry and Ms Markle did want to invite Mr Obama and his wife Michelle.

Prince Harry is close to the Obamas after bonding with them at charity events. By contrast, he has no relationship with Mr Trump - and Ms Markle, in her former life as an actor, has openly criticised him.

The notoriously thin-skinned Mr Trump has so far refused to visit the United Kingdom to accept Prime Minister Theresa May's offer of a state visit because he is concerned about negative publicity and massive protests in London, where he is deeply unpopular.

The decision not to invite political leaders - Mrs May is also not invited - has sidestepped any potential diplomatic headaches.

Malcolm Turnbull will also not be on the list, although the Australian Prime Minister was not expecting an invitation.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Kensington Palace in London. The royal nuptials will take place on Saturday, May 19. Picture: AP

It's thought the royal family decided there was no need for an official list of political wedding guests because Prince Harry is not a direct heir to the throne, unlike his older brother Prince William, who invited global political leaders to his 2011 nuptials at Westminster Abbey.

Prince Harry and Ms Markle's wedding will therefore take place before 600 guests who have been invited because they are family or friends.

Some European royalty will likely be in attendance, as will all the British royals, high-society from the UK, and friends from Ms Markle's life in America and Canada.